It was the middle of March. Spring had long swept across the world from the North to the South. Regardless of whether it was Shangjing in the North or Jingdou in the Qing Kingdom, they were all enveloped in a flourishing scene. In the land of Jiangnan, the green water rippled and the green mountains hid each other. Along the river, the willow trees sprouted tender green branches and wrote the word "vitality."
The palace treasury was southwest of Jiangnan Road, so it could not escape the good fortune of nature. In just a few days, up and down the river, inside and outside the workshops, green grass and light pink flowers grew, decorating the originally dull yamen and workshops. It greatly weakened the hard and cold atmosphere.
Amidst the peace, the officials who came to the yamen for work had faces full of smiles and raised their hands in greeting at the yamen door. The rain of blood and foul wind had already passed. Tomorrow, the imperial envoy would return to Suzhou to preside over the matter of the palace treasury opening for the new year. The mood of these officials of the palace treasury transport company was very relaxed.
After opening the yamen to discuss matters, Fan Xian sat in the middle seat and gave a brief summary of the future arrangements. However, there were no trusted aides among these people, so what he talked about was the usual routine, such as the arrangements for the various workshops. Other than reiterating the Qing laws, he also mentioned that the court had specially revised the rules for the palace treasury. They could not be disobeyed.
Regardless of whether it was wages or salaries, they all had to be distributed promptly. The daily security and security work also had to be more vigilant. Hearing the imperial envoy say this, the officials also agreed. With those five heads in front of them, no one would be stupid enough to contradict him face to face.
Fan Xian arranged for Su Wenmao to stay. However, he did not have an official position in the transport company, so he temporarily moved his subordinates to the Fourth Bureau. Together with Dan Da, he led the Overwatch Council officials and secret agents in the palace treasury.
The officials knew that after Fan Xian finished presiding over the new year opening of the palace treasury in Suzhou, he would go to Hangzhou to settle down. This was a rule that had been established many years ago. The head of the transport company would not live in the palace treasury. Thus, Su Wenmao, who stayed in the palace treasury, was equivalent to the imperial envoy's spokesperson. He could not be treated lightly. Thus, everyone quickly stood and greeted Su Wenmao.
As they met, Fan Xian's brows furrowed slightly. He quietly said to the deputy beside him, Ma Jie, "I am going to do what we talked about last night."
This was a superficial respect for the Deputy Envoy. Ma Jie, however, had a bitter expression on his face as he shook his head repeatedly.
A strange light flashed through the eyes of General Ye, who was sitting to Fan Xian's right. He didn't know what the imperial envoy was up to this time that he hadn't been notified. His question was quickly answered.
Su Wenmao put on a false smile and walked to the front of the hall. He raised his hands in salute to everyone present. After returning the greeting, he quietly said, "Today, we have investigated the matter of some officials in the palace treasury transport company secretly doing something improper. They incited the treasurers to cause trouble and shook the foundation of the palace treasury. Everyone, please excuse us."
Following these words, seven or eight Overwatch Council officials walked out from the side of the yamen and rudely asked the officials who had been sitting in their chairs to leave their seats. They rudely and rudely removed their official hats.
These officials flew into a rage. As they pushed and refused, they shouted, "How dare you!"
Once the other officials of the transport company saw that they weren't targeting them, they felt slightly more at ease. However, they knew the methods of the Overwatch Council. The civil officials of the Qing court had a natural alliance in front of the Overwatch Council. They quickly stood and said to Fan Xian seriously, "Sir, what is the reason for this?"
In reality, no one was an idiot. They all knew that the people Fan Xian was dealing with, other than Wu Sha, were all trusted aides that the Eldest Princess of Xinyang had placed in the palace treasury these past 10 years. The imperial envoy's actions were nothing more than to dig out the roots of the predecessors and then plant his own saplings in their place. However, this matter concerned the face of the officials. If the yamen was so fierce in arresting people, the officials would not be able to keep their faces. It was inevitable that they would argue with Fan Xian a little.
Fan Xian glanced at the officials and warmly said, "Everyone, there is no need to be suspicious, but there is also no need to plead for leniency. I will definitely take down these officials."
General Ye, who sat to his right, had an ugly expression. He glanced at Deputy Ma Jie beside him and found that although he could not hide his awkwardness, there was no shock in his eyes. Presumably, he had already been informed by Fan Xian last night. Thinking of this, General Ye's mood began to become heavy. In a muffled voice, he reported, "Sir, these officials have served in the transport company for a long time and have always restrained themselves to serve the public good. If we just take them like this, I'm afraid … it will not be justifiable."
Fan Xian glanced at him and smiled. "Restrained themselves to serve the public good? I'm afraid it's not. "
General Ye's expression darkened slightly. "Even if there are occasional improprieties, you have already given the three-day order. These officials have already acted according to your orders. Since it is clear that they will not be punished, they will not be punished."
Fan Xian lowered his head. He knew why General Ye and the other officials had jumped out to oppose him today. The reason was actually very simple. Last time, when he suppressed the treasurers' strike, this general knew he could not stop Fan Xian's methods. Furthermore, the hat Fan Xian used to suppress him was large enough. The court could not afford to lose a single day of work in the palace treasury. Capturing these officials this time had touched on everyone's most sensitive psychological defenses. They were terrified that he, as the imperial envoy who also held the position of Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, would use this as an excuse to weave a large net and flip over the entire transport company, injuring himself.
For General Ye, his family had been pushed hard by the Emperor. Additionally, with Ye Ling'er's relationship with the Second Prince, there were already faint signs of leaning in that direction. Although General Ye had never received any secret letters from the Ye family in Dingzhou, he knew that Fan Xian's capture today was to dig out all of the Eldest Princess' trusted aides in the palace treasury. Unconsciously, he wanted to save something for the Eldest Princess. If he allowed Fan Xian to grow in the palace treasury, General Ye was worried that his future days would not be easy.
Fan Xian did not explain anything. He only pulled out a file from his clothes and handed it to General Ye. General Ye was slightly surprised.
He accepted the opened file and looked at it closely. His expression gradually darkened. He saw that on the file were all the shady and illegal activities of the officials who had been captured. Most importantly, the crime on it was not on the so-called corruption. Instead, it was on the dishonorable roles these officials had played in the labor unrest. All of the evidence, including the traitorous confessions of the treasurers, were clear. For example, when an official had spoken to which treasurers, the locations, and people were all clearly written. The attack was ruthless and accurate. It was truly the Overwatch Council's top-notch methods.
Looking at each line of evidence on the file, this general's heart couldn't help but gradually grow cold. He thought that the imperial envoy had only been in the palace treasury for a few days. How could he have investigated all of the transport company's ins and outs so clearly? Furthermore, how did the people of the Overwatch Council know so clearly about the secret conversations between Xinyang's trusted aides and the treasurers? Could it be that there were Overwatch Council spies among the treasurers? Thinking of this, General Ye remembered the legendary terror of the Overwatch Council. Those spies, who had already been described by the people as being like poisonous snakes in the night, were everywhere. He involuntarily began to worry about himself. Would there also be Overwatch Council spies in his manor?
However, as the general in charge of the palace treasury's defense, he was not very afraid of the Overwatch Council. First, he was a third-level official. The Overwatch Council did not have the power to arrest him without asking for an edict. Second, as a member of the military, regardless of faction, the Overwatch Council saw the power of the Qing Kingdom's military and had to give them some face. On the matter of the labor unrest, General Ye thought he had performed well enough. Today, it truly involved the Eldest Princess' face, as well as the matter of the princes in Jingdou. He forcefully resisted the unease in his heart and stood. He bowed to Fan Xian and said sincerely, "Sir, this …"
After all, he was a general, so he didn't know how to organize his pleas. Fan Xian smiled and looked at him. He shook his head and said, "There's no need to plead."
General Ye was terrified that Dingzhou was still not willing to send a message. He had no idea which side to stand on, which was why he had sunk into the difficult situation he was in. However, Fan Xian had acted first. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to say, "Sir, these people are all officials of the transport company. I wonder if you want to take them as the head of the transport company or as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council?"
In a low voice, he said, "Sir, even if the imperial envoy takes people and the evidence is there, if you want to investigate the case, it will take many days to open the court. This … the palace treasury is about to open."
Fan Xian glanced at him and was surprised by the other party's courage. After thinking for a moment, he understood. If he wanted to take these officials, the method he used was very particular. If he used his identity as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council to investigate the case, then once it got back to Jingdou, it would draw the court's attention. The elders in court would probably think he was targeting the Eldest Princess or something. If he used his identity as the head of the transport company or the imperial envoy to investigate the case, he could not delay this any longer.
Who was Fan Xian? How could he care about the discussion in Jingdou? He smiled and said, "General Ye, don't worry too much. I have always believed in Qing law and will not act recklessly. Today, I have taken these officials. For the sake of fairness, I will not personally investigate the case."
General Ye was slightly startled. As long as you don't personally investigate the case, no matter who investigates, it will depend on Jingdou's inclination. With Fan Xian's promise, he could answer to Jingdou, so he hesitantly retreated. However, he was curious as to why Fan Xian was not personally investigating the case. Was he going to lock these officials up in the palace treasury? They couldn't keep them locked up forever. The court would eventually send an inquiry.
"I will take them with me on the road," Fan Xian said. "The palace treasury is also a part of the court. Although it has never had much interaction with the officials in court, in terms of rules, it is still managed by Jiangnan Road."
He gazed at the many uneasy officials in the hall and comfortingly said, "I know what everyone is worried about. Don't worry, I am not a vengeful person. Just as I said to General Ye earlier, for the sake of fairness, I will not personally interrogate these people. Instead, I will hand them over to the Governor of Suzhou."
He smiled slightly and said, "With Sir Xue investigating the case, presumably no one will have any more misgivings." He looked at the Eldest Princess' trusted aide who was still confronting the Overwatch Council officials in the hall. A glimmer of anger flashed across the corner of his lips. "When did catching people become a game of eagle catching chicks?"
Su Wenmao's face reddened slightly as he glared fiercely at his subordinates. The Overwatch Council officials felt ashamed in their hearts. They went forward and used a few Foshan Shadowless Kicks, kicking the palace treasury officials who were still crying out for injustice and refused to submit to the ground and tying them up.
The officials in front of the hall couldn't help but shake their heads. They had wanted to persuade the imperial envoy to at least leave some face for the officials. Thinking of Fan Xian's earlier display of warmth and sternness, they were intimidated by that kind of warmth, coldness, and mood swings. They didn't dare to open their mouths and plead for mercy. As a subordinate, they were not afraid of their superiors' cruelty. They were afraid of their superiors' moods and not knowing when they would pull out that knife again.
Fan Xian's last opening of the palace treasury yamen thus ended. After the hall dispersed, he asked Deputy Ma Jie to stay behind. The two of them sat in the garden behind the manor. As they got close to the scent of spring, they talked about some matters that carried the chill of autumn.
"Don't blame me for being too ruthless." Fan Xian rubbed the slightly dry corners of his eyes and said, "Since they dared to make a move at the beginning of my tenure, then don't blame me for taking down their black veil."
Ma Jie smiled bitterly. Although in name, he and Fan Xian were deputy and it appeared that there was not much of a difference in rank, he knew that in reality, the power in the hands of the young master in front of him was shockingly great. It was even more terrifying than that of the princes. Thus, when Fan Xian had discussed with him last night about getting rid of the Eldest Princess' trusted aides in the palace treasury, although he had expressed a little worry and had exonerated those officials, he had not dared to oppose it to his face.
Now, Fan Xian had once again asked him to stay behind alone. Furthermore, he had said such honest words in front of him. Ma Jie knew that Fan Xian was preparing to raise him as a trusted aide. While he was secretly happy, he was also a little worried. After all, no one knew who would win in many years, between this young master in front of him and those elders in Jingdou.
The court officials were also very sensitive to the ownership of the dragon chair. Although it looked like the Crown Prince would ascend the throne, the Emperor's behavior these two years had been too strange, so no one dared to completely believe it. If it was the Second Prince ascending the throne … everyone knew that Commissioner Fan and the Second Prince did not have a good relationship. If he was determined to follow Commissioner Fan and the Second Prince inherited the throne, he would certainly not have a good end.
This was what Ma Jie had been secretly worried about. However, he also knew that although one had to suck up to both sides in officialdom, when it came to important matters such as choosing sides, the biggest taboo was to be an opportunist. Today was the last day before Fan Xian left the palace treasury. Talking to him again was, of course, to make his attitude clear.
Ma Jie had thought about it all night, so he was not very flustered. Calmly, he said, "Everything you have discussed is what I have requested. I will immediately write two documents on this matter. One will be sent to the Hall of Governmental Affairs. The other will be sent immediately on horseback to the Suzhou governor's manor. Please … do not worry."
Hearing these words, Fan Xian knew that Ma Jie knew to tie his thigh. He was even willing to use these two documents to share the criticism that Fan Xian might receive. He also wanted to use this to show the people in officialdom where he stood. He had made up his mind. He glanced warmly at Ma Jie and said, "Sir Ma is considerate."
Ma Jie smiled slightly and replied, "As the deputy of the palace treasury, I should be investigating the officials under me. For them to cause trouble this time, it is already my dereliction of duty."
Fan Xian smiled. A moment later, he opened his mouth and said, "Does Sir Ma think that my handling of the matter today was appropriate?"
Ma Jie thought for a moment and then respectfully replied, "Sir, you have thought far ahead. It is indeed a good plan. Officials are not like treasurers. They cannot be casually killed or casually punished. If the case was tried in the transport company's yamen, it would take too long. It would also easily attract criticism. Tomorrow, you will take these criminal officials to Suzhou and hand them over to the governor for interrogation. Governor Xue is a pillar of the country. He has a powerful official reputation and admires you. He will certainly be able to help the court investigate this case and give the Emperor a good explanation."
Fan Xian gave a silent praise in his heart. This deputy had indeed guessed his thoughts clearly. Fan Xian was going to find a way to get rid of Xinyang's trusted aides in the palace treasury. Although the strike this time had given him a good excuse, if he completely did it himself, it would not be appropriate. The matter involved the Eldest Princess, princes, and other nobles in the Palace. Throwing this hot potato to that super-ranked official was a clever move. First, the Jiangnan Road Governor had jurisdiction over this matter. Second, although Xue Qing would secretly curse him, as a border official, his position was different. He was not afraid of the Eldest Princess far away in Jingdou. On the contrary, he would be wary of Fan Xian deep in the heart of Jiangnan. Weighing the two, Xue Qing should know very well what he should do.
"Before coming, Shao'an had mentioned to me that this cousin of mine has the talent to save the world. After getting to know each other these days, it seems that Shao'an was indeed not boasting." Fan Xian smiled and changed the topic. He once again began to use Ren Shao'an as a middleman to close the distance between the two of them.
Ma Jie smiled and said, "Two years ago, when the commissioner entered the capital, you and Shao'an hit it off at first sight. When Shao'an sent letters, he often mentioned your shocking talent and that in the future, you will definitely be an official who can save the world."
The deputy and principal chatted happily and gave each other high hats and flattery. They also agreed on the procedures for future trips to the palace treasury. Then, they raised their hands and bid farewell.
Seeing him to the door of the garden, Fan Xian looked at Ma Jie's slightly bowed body and blinked his eyes. It looked like there were indeed a number of powerful figures in court. However, those people lacked many favors from his previous life, so they didn't have many opportunities to display them. After today's matter was settled, the palace treasury would have no major problems. He also felt relaxed. Furthermore, the work of stuffing trusted aides into the transport company would gradually begin in the middle of the year. With Ma Jie's help, this matter would go smoothly.
At this moment, Fan Xian could not guess what it was that made Ma Jie choose him and not the legitimate prince. This was certainly not something that could be swayed by the close relationship between Taichang Temple's vice-official, Ren Shao'an.
In reality, the reason for Ma Jie's defection was very simple. Because of the relationship between the Third Prince and Fan Xian, it made him make a large bet concerning his future career as an official and the rise and fall of his family. He … bet all of his silver on the little one.
…
…
After seeing off Deputy Ma and welcoming Seventh Shopkeeper, Fan Xian appeared particularly busy on the day before he was about to leave the palace treasury. Seventh Ye was the leader of the four shopkeepers following Fan Xian to the South. Now, he was already a director of Qingyu Hall. These years, he had been helping the Fan manor earn money. He was on good terms with Fan Sizhe and was also very familiar with Fan Xian. Thus, there were some things that he didn't even dare to probe the other shopkeepers into, but Fan Xian was able to directly say them in front of him.
The old man and the young man gathered together and whispered to each other. It was always about the future management and production of the palace treasury. Fan Xian knew that he was a layman in terms of production management, chemistry, and physics, so he delegated all of the authority in this area to Seventh Ye. He did not have many good qualities, but he did not doubt the people he used. It was like this in the palace treasury, and it had always been like this in Jingdou. As long as it involved an open conspiracy, it was all handled by Sir Yan junior of the Fourth Bureau. Fan Xian had absolute trust in the other party's professional abilities and would not idiotically point fingers.
After confirming all of the matters, Fan Xian relaxed. In the past, the old Ye family had been so prosperous. Now, under the shopkeepers' hands, they would certainly be able to gradually reverse the poor management of the palace treasury and the problems with the quality and quantity of production. As long as they could sell more silver, they would have a preliminary account to the Emperor. This was something Fan Xian was more concerned about.
"The matter of delaying wages can't happen again." Fan Xian furrowed his brows and sighed. "You should also pay more attention to the quality of the goods."
Seventh Ye glanced at him. He was confused as to why the Commissioner was always thinking about the matter of wages. Of course, he also didn't understand the reason. The spring light filled the garden. The old shopkeeper looked at Fan Xian's handsome face and, for some reason, wandered off. He faintly thought that although the young master and the young lady did not look alike, they were both the most elegant people in the world.
Now that the young master had finally regained control of the Ye family business, although he was only managing it, the old shopkeeper still found it difficult to suppress his emotions. He sighed endlessly in his heart, but he hid it well on his face. The reason he had to hide it was because after nearly 20 years of house arrest in Jingdou, these old shopkeepers all knew that there were some things that could only be done and not said. If there was any sign, it would bring unnecessary trouble for the young master.
"I had wanted to ask you to go to Northern Qi to help the Second Prince …" Fan Xian didn't notice Seventh Ye's thoughts and smiled bitterly. "I didn't think that those eunuchs would keep following. The Palace is very strict, so I could only have you come to the palace treasury."
Seventh Ye smiled slightly and said, "For your sake, the eunuchs are already very gentle to us. The Second young master was born to be a merchant, so you don't have to worry. As for the palace treasury … you should know that I very much wanted to come back and take a look."
Fan Xian fell silent. A moment later, he said, "Su Wenmao is here. If you feel any discomfort or if anyone dares to raise an eyebrow at you, tell him. I've already told him … since we've left the capital, we can't suffer any more grievances."
Seventh Ye's heart was moved, but he didn't say anything.
A gust of wind blew past. Before the tender green leaves on the green tree in the courtyard had fully grown, they were blown off. Fan Xian made a light sound and casually scooped them up in his hand. Looking at the new cut, he furrowed his brows for a long time.
After a long time, he asked quietly and faintly, "Can the art … be copied down?"
Seventh Ye's body trembled slightly. A moment later, he shook his head. "It's a dead rule. It can't be written down. It can only be passed down by word of mouth."
Fan Xian said, "The blueprints can't be passed down by word of mouth."
Seventh Ye shook his head. "I watched it closely earlier. I don't even know where it is now."
Fan Xian thought for a moment. A slight smile rose to his face. "In a few months, come to Hangzhou and tell me about it. My memory is very good."
(To be continued, if you want to know what happened afterwards, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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